One of my favorite examples of the power of worship is found in 2 Chronicles. I touched on this story last week, but today, I want to bring your attention to something significant.
King Jehoshaphat is told, “… a great multitude is coming against you… And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah” (2 Chronicles 20:2–3, NKJV).
The Scripture says that he “feared,” but he only paused a moment there. He immediately set himself and all the people of Judah to seek the Lord through fasting and prayer. Then he took his place in the assembly of the people and began to praise—proclaiming who God was and all that God had done for them. He ended by saying, “… We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (2 Chronicles 12, NKJV).
How many times do we find ourselves saying that same thing: “I don’t know what to do. This problem is far too big for me to handle. God, my eyes are on You!”
The next day, they went early to the place the Lord had directed them. Then Jehoshaphat addressed the people again, saying: “… Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” … he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.” (2 Chronicles 20:20–21 NKJV).
Now, notice what happened when they began to praise: “… The Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated” (2 Chronicles 20:22, NKJV).
There is power in corporate fasting and power in corporate praise! And I believe it’s time to exchange ashes for beauty, mourning for joy, and a garment of heaviness for a garment of praise.
21-Day Fasting Journey with Jentezen Franklin
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